Urbino is located on a hilly area 485 meters above sea level, close to the Apennines, with about 16 thousand inhabitants. The Municipality has jurisdiction on a large territory: 226,5 km2. Urbino has dry sunny summers and cold winters with rain and some snowfall.

The Historic Centre of Urbino has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in the 22nd session of the World Heritage Committee held in Tokyo, November 30- December 5, 1998. The extraordinary cultural, artistic and architectural value that Urbino acquired during its history and that makes the town unique in the world has been analysed many times by many cultural personalities both in past and recent years (in the last decades one can mention Carlo Bo, Paolo Volponi, Leonardo Benevolo, Giancarlo De Carlo who have wide international reputation and who for different reasons have had professional connections and human and spiritual relationships with Urbino).

Urbino is the city of the famous Renaissance painter Raphael, and the city of the fabulous Ducal Palace, one of the great symbols of the Italian Renaissance and part of the historical centre declared World Heritage Site by Unesco. During the 15th Century, Urbino was one of the great European cultural capitals and still today is a lively location with one of the oldest and most prestigious Italian universities, meeting point for people from all over the world. Its museums have on display masterpieces by Raphael, Piero della Francesca, Barocci, Paolo Uccello and many others, as well as churches with amazing frescos and paintings. Urbino is the city of many art exhibits and events dedicated to literature, music, and historical pageants. Urbino embodies all the elements of the authentic Italian Culture that every international traveller aims to find.

Urbino has a long tradition of artistic handicrafts, which is well documented by its urban history, starting above all with the Renaissance. Its goldsmiths, cabinetmakers and the artisans, who worked in the field of construction (stuccoists, painters, carpenters, stonemasons) were renowned in the past. Today, there are still many shops to bear witness to their creativity. These are mainly small shops in the historical part of the city and workshops spread throughout the area, where you can have a close-up view of their ancient techniques and their latest creations, attend courses and buy items.

The city receives an average of 400 thousand tourists a year.

Municipality of Urbino – via Puccinotti n. 3 – c.a.p. 61029 Urbino (PU) – Italy

UNESCO – Urban Decorum and Hygiene Office - via Puccinotti n. 33 – c.a.p. 61029 Urbino (PU) – Italy

European Project Contacts:

Luana Alessandrini Architect Office Manager UNESCO – Urban Decorum and Hygiene Office - Via Puccinotti n. 33 – c.a.p. 61029 Urbino (PU) – Italy

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Gabriele Sperandio - Head of Culture, Tourism and Productive activities Unit- Via Puccinotti n. 33 – c.a.p. 61029 Urbino (PU) – Italy

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